Participation, Representation and Identity

This book offers a theory about the nature and essence of minority participation and representation, while describing possible problematic aspects, which need to be taken into account when devising minority participation and representation institutions and mechanisms.

Participation, Representation and Identity

Inhoud

Awarded with the Mauro Cappelleti Prize 2008 – European University InstituteAs the world struggles with accommodation of diversity in a wide variety of situations, including armed struggles with sometimes transnational security dimensions, it is clear that ethnic, religious and linguistic identity constitutes a reality, which needs to be taken into account. This book offers a theory about the nature and essence of minority participation and representation, while describing possible problematic aspects, which need to be taken into account when devising various institutions and mechanisms.Moving from political theory and philosophy through positive international (human rights) law and practice to implementation and other manifestations in particular domestic situations, this volume constitutes a reliable source on the subject matter, bridging theory and practice.This book is of use to a wide audience of academics, practitioners, policy makers, NGOs, and to all those interested in diversity management and institutional design in societies that are to a greater or lesser extent divided along ethnic, linguistic or religious lines.The doctoral thesis, on which this book is based, was awarded, in 2008, the annual Mauro Cappelletti Prize for the best comparative law thesis defended at the European University Institute, Florence.About the authorAnnelies Verstichel, LL.M. (Columbia Law School), Ph.D. (European University Institute), is a Belgian diplomat and a guest professor at the law faculty of the KULeuven. She previously worked as a legal officer for the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and as a policy advisor for the International Civilian Office and EU Special Representative in Kosovo. She has been affiliated with the Institute for Human Rights of the KULeuven since 2003.